We saw the end of an era this month with the retirement of POA President Gary Delagnes. Gary spent 34+ years in service to the citizens of San Francisco, and to the men and women of the SFPD. I met Gary Delagnes in 1981 at Central Station. When I met him, I was just out of the Academy. Our hourly rate of pay was $11.21 an hour, and I was happy to get it. New San Francisco police officers make just a bit better than that now. In fact, many things have changed since the fall of 1981. Here is a sampling of what the SFPD offered in the way of pay and benefits 32 years ago:
Academy Training was 19 weeks The FTO Program was 14 weeks
- There was no probationary period Q2 Annual Salary was $23,400
- Overtime was paid at straight time There was no such thing as 10B
- No City contribution to Medical Insurance No Dental Insurance (not available)
- If hired before ’78 – 75% max pension If hired after ’78 – 70% max pension
- Everyone worked a 5 x 8 hr work week No 10 hour days for anyone
- Worked 7 days to get 2 midweek days off Worked 8 days to get 4 day weekend off
- No premium pay (night diff, hazard pay, etc) No POST premiums
- No Wellness Program or SP buyout No PE time and only 2 floating holidays
- … And the first promotional test for sergeant I was eligible to take came in the Fall of 1989
I could go on but I think any officer reading this article can see that we are far better off today than we were yesterday. We have seen some outstanding POA Presidents over my time in the Police Department: Bob Barry (2 Terms), Mike Keys, Al Casciato, Al Triguiero, Chris Cunnie (2 Terms), and Gary Delagnes (3 Terms) – and now Marty Halloran, next in this great long line. We owe each of these men, and their respective Boards of Directors, a debt of gratitude for the working conditions we enjoy and the wages/benefits that allow us to best provide for our families.
Over the past several contract negotiations, Gary Delagnes has been “the driver” for the POA and he has done a masterful job. This is also a cop who did his time (years) on midnights in the Tenderloin and worked his fair share of long hours, nights, and weekends working Narcotics. As successful as Gary has been, he is one of those people that took to heart the criticisms of those who voted against him. He always felt he could have done more and/or should have been more congenial in his back and forth. He had the support of those of us that wholeheartedly congratulated him on each (and there have been many) job well done on our behalf. It is with this in mind that I close with the exchange at the end of the film (Saving Private Ryan) that Gary speaks of from time to time. It seems appropriate as I am writing this column, having just come from the Presidio Cemetery on Memorial Day.
In this scene is Private Ryan (as an old man) standing at Capt. Miller's (Tom Hanks’ character) grave, remembering: “Every day I think about what you said to me that day on the bridge. I tried to live my life the best that I could. I hope that was enough. I hope that, at least in your eyes, I've earned what all of you have done for me.” At which point he turns to his wife and asks, “Tell me I have led a good life. Tell me I'm a good man.”
Gary, I could never be mistaken for your wife (Sue is the best), although we have argued as if we were married many times, but I can tell you – as your friend – you have led a good life and you are a good man.
Best of luck, old friend, in what I hope is a very long and healthy retirement. You deserve it!
In addition to Gary’s departure, May was a busy month all over the Department and the City. Since this month’s column is already long enough, let me highlight just a few other happenings from May of 2013. There was Career Day at Thurgood Marshall High School, the Graduation of the 234th Recruit Class, the Annual Basketball Jamboree for middle school students at USF, the Annual Peace Officer Memorials in Sacramento and Washington DC (Inspector Brian Olcomendy’s name went onto both walls), the Spring Retirement Ceremony, a Large (uneventful) Bay to Breakers, the Annual PAL Golf Tournament, the 1st Annual SFPD Ball, the Annual St. John’s Grammar School Law Enforcement Appreciation Day…. and more – including winning the bid to host Super Bowl 50 here in the Bay Area. Just another month for the City of St Francis and the SFPD!
As always,
Be Safe and God Bless.
Greg Suhr
Chief Of Police
San Francisco Police Department
Oro en Paz, Fierro en Guerra
